1. Provide proper lighting
Good general lighting, supplemented with proper task lighting that is clearly focused on work surfaces, will greatly decrease the chance of injury while preparing a meal. The lighting should be glare-free and even, without producing any shadows on the work surface.
2. Install slip-resistant flooring
Some good choices are matte-finished wood or laminate, textured vinyl or a soft-glazed ceramic tile. If the client chooses tile, suggest that a throw rug with a nonskid backing is a good idea, especially around areas that get wet.
3. Provide safe storage for a fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher should be visibly located near a room exit, away from cooking equipment. Never locate an extinguisher near or under a cooktop or range, the most likely sources of a fire. An extinguisher stored in that area would be unreachable if a fire occurs in those areas.
4. Keep electrical switches, plugs and lighting fixtures away from water sources and wet hands
Building codes require that every electrical receptacle be grounded and protected with ground-fault circuit interrupters. In addition, all wall-mounted room controls should be 15 inches to 48 inches above the finished floor.
5. Install water-temperature regulators
Faucets with anti-scald devices prevent water temperature from rising to dangerous levels; pressure-balanced valves equalize hot and cold water. Faucets also can be preprogrammed to the client’s desired temperature setting. (These faucets are good in bathrooms, too.)
6. Recommend a safe cooktop
Point out to your client that cooktops with burners in a staggered layout or one straight row can help prevent scalds from reaching over boiling pots. For the same reason, cooktop controls should be along the side or in the front.
7. Design a safe floorplan
Think about how traffic will flow through the kitchen, and design the floorplan to keep that traffic out of the cooking area. For example, avoid putting a range near an entrance or exit.
8. Put the microwave at a convenient height
Locate microwaves at heights that don’t require reaching to retrieve food.
9.Consider slide-out trays and bins
Such features in base cabinets make their contents more accessible, and they minimize reaching and twisting to pull out the right item.
10. Eliminate sharp corners on countertops
Use a rounded edge on the corners of countertops, especially islands and peninsulas, to avoid injury to children.
